Re: Think spectroscopy!

Thanks for your contribution to the forum, Michel.

A few comments as an attempt to bring some clarification...

> -A future 8m for wide-field spectroscopy is alluded too at the end, but
> then is presented for exoplanet imaging....?

The main prospect for an 8m telescope is indeed a telescope dedicated to
spectroscopy using an instrument like WFMOS (or WFMOS itself at some point). The
allusion to exoplanet imaging is a reminder that othet goals could justify a
dedicated 8m telescope.

> -The idea of a spectroscopic 8m (or larger...) seems attractive to me.
> I have some doubts about the faisability in a reasonable time scale, in
> view of the financial situation, and the priority given to ELT's. But
> this should be the goal for the long term.

Indeed, there is very little hope to get funds for such an 8m telescope from
France and Canada, as they are both engaged in ELT projects. However, nations
not involved in these ELTs but keen to invest in forefront astronomy are good
candidates for such a project. Working on it ;)

> -Exchange some CFHT survey time for spectroscopic access to other 8m's.
> Some of them are looking for support from a survey telescope...but all
> depends on the "exchange rate"... and if some 8m turn into survey
> telescopes themselves, I am note sure CFHT remains competitive in this
> domain.

Subaru, Keck and Gemini currently trade nights using a 1 to 1 exchange rate.
Remember that one night with Suprimecam on Subaru is, data-wise, equivalent to
one night with MegaCam. At least for the time being, there is much interest from
the US in getting access to our wide field imagers, a good basis for potential
time-swapping.

Aloha,
Christian

-- 
Dr Christian Veillet
Executive Director
Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope
http://www.cfht.hawaii.edu/